A quick turnaround did little to slow down Kereru defender Sophia Fenwick who backed up a national league Grand Final to suit up for her club.

Fenwick was part of the Mainland team which finished second in the national Beko Netball League, falling by two goals in the grand final last Sunday and played a strong defensive role in Kereru’s 71-33 win over St Nicholas in Christchurch’s premier club game on Tuesday night.

Technical were the other big winners in the Christchurch Netball Centre’s competition at Bishopdale YMCA, beating Halswell 79-35 while Lincoln University were pushed hard by Saints before netting a 55-46 win.

A number of players were back in action for their clubs just a couple of days after reaching the final of the national league but Fenwick said it was no problem switching focus and now taking on some of her Mainland team-mates.

“Everyone knows everyone with Kereru so I feel like I can slot back in quite easily,” she said.  “But it is different playing against the people in your (Mainland) team than having them in your team.”

Four members of Mainland’s beaten finalists took the court in the match between Kereru and St Nicholas with the latter using Olivia Coughlan in defence and Chloe Williamson and Jess Shaw in the mid-court.

Only two goals separated the side at the first break but Kereru changed gear, particularly on defence, in the second and third spells – where they restricted St Nicholas to just 11 goals – to take control of the game.

Fenwick, 24, has played at ANZ Championship level and was an influential member of Mainland this year, said she was “pushing for a place in the ANZ Premiership”

She switched from a shooting role into a defensive bib last season but admitted it had taken some time to adjust.

“I’m definitely feeling a lot more comfortable in there this year,” she said. 

Meanwhile, Saints have made a promising start to the season despite still searching for their first win of the second round.

They pushed Lincoln University relentlessly through the four quarters with goal attack Taylor Rosie-Forrester a stand-out for the Saints side, before four successive goals to the university side before the final whistles saw the scoreline blow out.

Technical made a number changes en route to a convincing 45-goal victory over Halswell in the late game.

Coach Andrea Cousins looked at different combinations at every break as her side kept Halswell to single digits in all but one of the quarters in a commanding display.

Results:

Kereru 71 (Claudia Lewis GS1 22/28, Tyler Rollo GA1 6/9, Julianna Naoupu GS2 33/38, Erin McDuff 10/17) beat St Nicholas 33 (Brooke Parker GS 23/31, Grace Jones GA 10/17).  Quarter scores:  13-11, 28-16, 51-22, 71-33.

Lincoln University 55 (Bella James GS 32/45, Kate Grant GA 23/29) beat Saints 46 (Danielle Kerwin GS 16/25, Taylor Rosie-Forrester GA 30/36).  Quarter scores:  12-13, 29-25, 41-34, 55-46.

Technical 79 (Maddy Lloyd GS1 15/24, Tiana Placid GA1 36/44, Chelsea Bremner GS2 20/30, Gemma Hazeldine GA2 8/11) beat Halswell 35 (Jessica Cottam GS1 13/15, Nicole Meikle GA1 6/10, Alexandra Doig GS2 15/16, S Thompson GA2 1/2).  Quarter scores:  18-7, 40-15, 58-26, 79-35.